Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-01-19

ment within our borders has been less than in
previous years. and they have been of much
better class, with fewer needy ones among them.
FISHERIES.
The disbursements of the commissioners OF
fisheries, for 1sS5 Si2,294 80 and ter 1886,
l,032.a3, and there is remaining Oh hand bal
ance of S1.2749' NV buildings have been
erected and many substantial and needed i'm
provements made. The distribution OF fish try to
the different ocalites of the state the past year
was the largest of any since the institution has
been in existence The commissioners, in their
biennial report, recommend that the appropria-
ton OF $1,000 per annum be made permanent.
hey also make recommendations in relation TO
tention.
Pursuant to the requirements of chapter ass,
laws of 1856, l appointed three fish wardens.
This law contained provisions for protecting the
fish supply in Lake Superior. Lake Michigan and
Green Bay.
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
In the reorganization of this bureau, in 1885,
the Offices of deputy commissioner factory in
spector and clerk were added. The expenses
of the bureau. up to the close of the biennia!
PERIOD were $l2,4l085 exclusive of printing.
The report of the commissioner contains the laws
enacted In the interest of labor, history of the
recent strikes and industrial disturbances in
Guiding the elght-hour movement in Wisconsin,
and large amount of valuable information on
labor subjects generally together with statistical
Information relating to the trades and TO manu-
featuring.
NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION.
The commissioner appointed to represent the
staue o. WISCONSIN at the New orleans EXPOSITION
in 1884 has made his final report, and out of the
appropriation made by the Legislature to defray
the expenses of the Wisconsin exhibit, he has re-
turned to The treasury the sum of $-,043.73. The
law making this appropriation made no provision
for any compensation for the commissioner pro-
vlding for expenses only and should
1t seem pro to compensate him for his services
the Legislature should make the necessary pro-
vision therefor. The exhibit made by the state
was most creditable one, and although made
under adverse circumstances the fact that Wis
consin secured the highest number of awards,
shows that Mr.. HoltOn performed his duties with
sagacity and untring forts, and that he thor
the state.
EDUCATION
The high standing the state of Wisconsin
now has in all branches of industry is largely
due to the liberal spirit and good Judgment with
which the people support the educational system
of the state, The proportion of persons who can
mostly in the large cities. The common schools
are eagerly sought, and the percentage of attend
ance is equal to that of any state in the Union.
= here was collected by the state and dis
tributed to counties for educational PURPOSES in
1885, 210,915.20, and in 1886 $780, O63 3d. OF this
last amount, S4SS, 1881 was derived from the
mill tax provided by the asst Legislature.
would call your attention to the valuable re-
port of the superintendent of public instruction,
and the notifications of the laws recommended
by him. In the distribution of the moneys to
counties the law, in one section, requires the
school districts to raise an amount equal to that
received from the state, and in another section
half the amount apportoned before being emit
tied to receive the state mo ley These differ
ences In the law should be harmonized.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN.
The University of Wisconsin, 1 believe, has
made commendable progress during the past
two years The attendance has increased and
the work OF rebuilding the needed structures,
Tor which the Legislature at its last
session made provision, has progressed in a
very substantial manner I am pleased to
note in this connection the practical utility and
"a tnnh rfn fr,cfp - no
University, as shown by the large amount Of
work done upon the new buildings by the facul-
ty and students in the mechanical departments.
These departments demonstrate the worth of
PRACTICAL education in the useful arts and are
being more highly appreciated year by year.
The agricultural experiment station has proven
to be of great value to the agricultural interests
of the state and our farmers are eagerly awaiting
themselves OF the useful and practical informa-
ton disseminated through its bulletins The
Agricultural Department adopted short course
in agriculture, to meet need tor such instruc-
ton, and while there is no doubt of the value of
this course, sufficient time has not elapsed to
demonstrate whether it will prove successful.
Agriculture
Agriculture is, beyond question the leading
industry of our state, with more capital invested
and more labor employed than all other inter-
e esis eomonea ana 1t deserves and should re-
In this industry brings prosperity to all others.
There have been various propositions presented
heretofore in the interest of agriculture and is
1885, q bill was introduced providing for a seps-
rate Agricultural College. At that tin the farm
erS OF the state were divided in opinion to the
necessity for such an institution, and the bill
failed to receive the approval OF the Legis AZURE
The dairy interests of Wisconsin have grown
10 such magnitude, and are of such vast import
lance to the prosperity of the people, tnat ample
protection should be afforded them. The last
legislature passed law similar to that of the
State of New York, protecting the dairy interest
against the sale of imitation butter. The New
York law has been decided unconstitutional by
the courts OF tAat state and, while test of the
cOnstltut1onaltty OF our law has been made in
the courts of Wisconsin, am of the opinion that
the law should be changed as to afford the de-
sired protection and remove all doubts as to its
being in conflict with the constitution
The Legislature of 1885 made provision for
holding farmers institutes. by yearly appropri-
atlon OF 5000, TO deiray expenses. There can be
no douht that the institutes have been productive
OF good results and the increased interest taken
In them the past year Is the best evidence of the
apprec' ati"n in which they are held. The re-
suits of the experience of the leading farmers and
darymen are given at these institutes to those of
our farmers who are sufficiently interested in
their calling to avail themselves OF them and
the information gained by the discussions at
these meetings has proven of great practical
benefit. would recommend an increase of the
appropriation for this purpose.
The office of state veterinarian, whose duty
should be to investigate infectious and conta-
glous diseases OF domestic animals was created by
cne last Legislature. Under this law l appointed
V. I. Atkinson, V. s., OF Milwaukee, and his Ia
bors have been almost wholly confined to the in
VeSllgdllOn OF CHAMBERS, which has existed among
the horses in many parts of the state AS the law
now stands II is defective in several particulars
and should be so amended as to accomplish the
objects for which 1t is intended. The expenses
of this officer and the amounts paid tina owners
for diseased horses slaughtered aggregated the
sum of sc, 03772
INSURANCE
I am induced to believe that the insurance
laws might be modified to some extent, 80 as to
be more beneficial to the business interests of the
state. The rate of insurance seems to be increas-
ing throughout the state, while the insur-
ance companies claim that they are max
ing no profits upon their business. Az
the law now stands, in case of total loss,
the insurance company must pay the full
amount for which the property is insured, with
oRt regard to its value. This law has created q
tendency to over-insurance, and this over-insur-
ance has in many cases, no doubt been the cause
of the destruction of the property by fire. either
by engendering feeling of carelessness or by
direct incendiarism. Could some law be so
framed AZ to do away with this tendency, and at
the same time not relieve the insurance COM
panies from the over-zealous acts of their
agents in insuring property for more than
twOthirds of its value, believe 1t would work
reduction of the rates OF insurance, and be OF
great value to the people. To secure proper care,
the owner should have some interest In the prop
erty that would not be made good to him in case
of loss. The owner should not be permitted to
recover more than twO-Lhirds of the value Of the
property destroyed, and the same time
believe the insurance companies should not be